Open Forum: Laura’s Law is one our society desperately needs

I want to see the San Francisco Board of Supervisors vote to implement Laura’s Law. As the father of a woman with schizophrenia, I have a personal interest, but like all well-meaning people I want to see those laws enacted which will most benefit society. As the many benefits of Laura’s Law are so obvious, I have tried to understand the opposition to it. It seems to fall into 2 categories — civil liberties and money.

I am particularly sensitive to civil liberties, both as a freedom-loving patriot and as an attorney who has handled numerous First Amendment cases. I respect the concern for this issue, but I don’t see any violation of civil liberties here.

All laws deprive someone of the ability to do something, or to remain free of being required to do something. Laura’s Law is not imposing unwanted treatment on someone due simply to her or his potential to do harm. Instead, she or he must be provided a hearing and then be deemed likely to do harm.

Laura’s Law is like laws that require parents of minors to obtain medical care for them. Persons with mental illness frequently are in a state where, like infants, they are unable to understand their medical needs and make rational decisions about them. Our government has a duty to do for all victims of mental illness what parents have a duty to do for their children. The civil liberties argument fails.

There is an issue of how Laura’s Law will be financed. The cost-effectiveness of this law is indisputable, with all of the facts and figures establishing a virtual certainty that with its reduced hospitalizations and incarcerations, Laura’s Law will save the government much money in the long run. But how will this law get financed in the short term?

It comes down to what we as a society are prepared to spend our money on. We are a wealthy society, with many individuals who live lavish lifestyles and a government that spends tax money freely on entertainment. This is fine, to an extent.

We are, after all, a democratic society, one that recognizes the rights and needs of every one of its citizens, not just privileged ones. The truth is we have more than enough money to provide care to those citizens too ill to realize they have a life-threatening condition. As there is money for frivolity, it follows that there is money for protection.

The question for us thus comes down to whether in addition to being a wealthy and democratic society, we are also a decent society. Do we care enough about each other to spend the money necessary to provide for our safety and well-being?

Lau

ra’s Law is not a discretionary bit of legislation that is going to benefit some special interest group and bring a lot of campaign contributions to those who sponsor it. It is instead a crucial law, one that our society desperately needs. It will protect those direct victims of mental illness, such as my daughter, and the indirect victims of mental illness who have been harmed by or who live in fear of being harmed by sick persons in irrational states. It will do this by requiring medical treatment for all life-threatening conditions, and where needed, by providing that treatment.

Hopefully, the Board of Supervisors will safeguard their constituents, the citizens of our city. And, it is hoped, our citizens will speak and be heard by their representatives.

Baron Miller is an attorney in private practice in San Francisco for 37 years. He specializes in representing the families of the mentally ill.